What happens if Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte have a rematch next year?
Ryan Walsh (Current British featherweight champion)
That fight finishes in a KO either way. AJ is susceptible to the left hook, which is Whyte’s bingo punch and a punch he’s clearly been working on. I’d still fancy AJ, though, because it looks like Whyte remains open to uppercuts. But it would be exciting to see who can exploit who first.
Gareth A. Davies (Boxing journalist)
Excellent fight, mainly because of the improvements to Whyte’s game. Still a close fight, but Joshua’s power probably edges it for me, though Dillian could unleash and win by knockout as well.
Wayne Alexander (Former European super-welterweight champion)
A rematch between Joshua and Whyte would be a lot different to their first fight because Whyte has improved and Joshua, having been exposed in his first defeat, may be a bit more defensive. But I’m a firm believer in the saying that styles make fights. The rematch would be a very intense affair with both fighters having to dig deep. Joshua wins on points.
Gary Logan (Former Southern Area welterweight and middleweight champion)
If Joshua comes through Ruiz Jnr convincingly, I’d pick AJ, even though Dillian has done everything asked of him. Whyte has improved but his style still suits AJ. Styles make fights and Oscar Rivas was not ideal for Dillian and it’s the same with Ruiz and AJ. I still believe AJ finds his way through Dillian’s sometimes leaky defence.
How much of a chance do you give Manny Pacquiao of beating Terence Crawford and Errol Spence?
Ryan Walsh
Pacquiao is one of boxing’s longest-serving elite fighters, an absolute phenom. He’s not easily outboxed and it’ll take some punch to KO him. I do, however, feel the youth, size and energy of Crawford and Spence would be a huge advantage. Pacquiao loses his biggest advantage against them. One is a natural southpaw, the other can switch. He negated Keith Thurman’s size just being a southpaw. Crawford and Spence are a step too far.
Gareth A. Davies
You want to say two chances: slim and none. But Pacquiao has surprised us too many times, so cannot be written off. The problem for him, as a 40-year-old, is that Crawford and Spence both have a spitefulness and power that Keith Thurman lacks. Hence, slim to very slim.
Wayne Alexander
Pacquiao has a decent chance of beating both. He surprised me a bit by beating Thurman and showed the world once again why he is one of the greats of the modern era. Saying that, though, I would have to favour the younger, fresher Crawford and Spence to beat Pacquiao on points.
Gary Logan
Crawford’s feet and movement would make it difficult, but Manny’s power could prove a problem for TC, who hasn’t got the sturdiness, size and strength of Spence at 147. Spence’s southpaw lead being closer to Pacquiao’s head presents huge problems for Manny. Style-wise, he’s a fight too far from a strength, consistency and power perspective. Both beat him but I think Spence wears him down inside distance.
